Match Report : 19/12/2015

Blackpool provided an early Christmas present with a fantastic 2-0 victory over play-off chasing Peterborough United, to make it three wins on the spin.

Against the Football League’s top scorers, who'd scored in every league game since the opening day, Pool did their damage in the first-half, particularly during the opening minutes.

Elliot Lee was brought down in the area just 24 seconds in and Mark Cullen did the honours at the second attempt, smashing home the rebound after Ben Alnwick had saved his spot kick.

Brad Potts made it two after rounding the goalkeeper and rolling home from a tight angle, as Neil McDonald’s men stunned their visitors with a thoroughly impressive display.

McDonald knew the importance of making an early impact on the game, and with his words still ringing in their ears, his players did exactly that. Within the opening minute Lee was causing havoc inside the Posh box and he teased a foul from Ricardo Santos just 24 seconds in.

Without a goal since October, Cullen faced Alnwick, and while the goalkeeper won the initial dual, pushing the kick onto the bar, Pool’s man was on hand to gobble up the rebound for 1-0.

The goal did little to alter the Posh style and they carved out a chance for Michael Bostwick, who headed wide soon after. Next it was Jon Taylor’s chance and his powerful effort was tipped over by Dean Lyness’ two hands.

As the rain came down, Pool continued to match their opponents and were happy to see Martin Samuelsen’s effort trickle wide. At the other end Hayden White beat Taylor, allowing an opportunity to pick out David Norris in the middle, but the midfielder shot into the ground and over.

It wasn’t long before goal number two arrived, and it came courtesy of Cullen making a nuisance of himself. The striker forced United’s defence to crumble and Potts was allowed to plough through, round Alnwick and roll in from a tight angle.

Blackpool were looking the more dangerous side, playing with an eye to cease on any opportunity, and goal number three nearly came when Cullen nipped the ball ahead of Santos, but shot at Alnwick.

Peterborough were shell shocked and their mood didn’t improve when Conor Washington curled wide from range. With the final chance of the half Lee Angol scooped an effort wide, as Pool went in with their two-goal lead intact.

Half-Time: Blackpool 2 Peterborough 0

After the break Posh changed personnel and style, but it did little to change their fortunes, as Bostwick drilled a strike wide from long range. Taylor then had an effort beaten away by Lyness, before Samuelsen blazed over the rebound.

On the hour mark McDonald freshened up his side, bringing on strikers Andy Little and Martin Paterson, in place of Cullen and Lee, who’d worked tirelessly throughout. Those fresh legs were able to harry Peterborough even more, as Bostwick smashed an effort off target.

As the conditions worsened at Bloomfield Road, Pool continued to hold firm and could have made it three when Little’s effort was put behind, while Michael Smith’s cross-shot was dealt with by Lyness.

For the final few minutes Emmerson Boyce took the place of Paterson to sure things up late on.

With his defence looking solid, Lyness was also dealing with everything asked of him, denying Erhun Oztumer with his feet next. With that went the final chance, as Pool made it three wins on the spin going into the festive period.